Soccer: Blue Raiders fall, still qualify for 2017 C-USA tournament

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raider (8-9, 5-5) soccer team fell 2-1 last night to UAB to finish the regular season. After missing the 2016 Conference USA tournament, they will make their return this year.

Sydney Navarro scored the only goal of the game for the Blue Raiders in the first half, her second of the season. Amber Hoot added her eighth assist of the season on Navarro’s goal.

UAB scored the game-winner early in the second half to take the lead and ultimately win the game.

Though it wasn’t how they wanted to close the season, there’s a much better feeling around the team this time around, as they know they still have more games ahead of them.

“We didn’t have our best night on the field, but we are still very pleased and proud to be able to represent Middle Tennessee at the conference tournament next week,” said head coach Aston Rhoden. “We are very happy that all our hard work has paid off and that our season goals are coming to fruition.”

Despite the loss, the Blue Raiders still earned a trip to Boca Raton, Florida, for the Conference USA tournament after missing the event last season. The tournament begins on Nov. 1, and MTSU will be either the seventh or the eighth seed.

Their seed will be determined by the WKU vs. UAB game later this weekend.